Chapter Summaries

Tang Ye played in the Yuedong Cup with Zhang Yuning and his father, then learned that Barcelona and Manchester United were bidding heavily for his transfer. As Barcelona raised its offer to €150 million, Neymar announced he wanted to leave, potentially changing Barcelona’s plans.

• Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning joined Cute Dragon Team for the Yuedong Cup and helped it defeat Kabi Team 37–2.
• Tang Ye refused to play in the Yuedong Cup semifinals and final because he had arranged an offseason trip with Ousmane Dembélé, Bruno, Haller, and others.
• Tang Ye received his college entrance exam results while on vacation and learned Villarreal planned to offer Utrecht €90–100 million for him.
• Barcelona offered Utrecht €130 million for Tang Ye, then Manchester United reportedly agreed to a €135 million fee plus add-ons and proposed a weekly wage of £230,000.
• Tang Ye joined the China national team training camp, where his teammates asked about the transfer bids from Barcelona and Manchester United.
• Barcelona raised its offer for Tang Ye to €150 million, while Neymar told Barcelona he wanted to leave during the summer transfer window.

Tang Ye's transfer battle intensified as Manchester United pursued him and Barcelona and Villarreal reconsidered their bids. The chapter ended with Tang Ye joining Manchester United for a record 180 million euros plus 20 million euros in add-ons.

• Boer told Tang Ye that Manchester United could outbid Barcelona, and Tang Ye weighed the two clubs as he discovered he could not remove the strange rattan armor covering his body.
• Erik ten Hag persuaded Murtough to seek approval for Manchester United's 160-million-euro offer for Tang Ye.
• Barcelona shareholders favored pursuing Ousmane Dembélé instead of Tang Ye, though Ernesto Valverde still wanted him.
• Tang Ye returned to Utrecht training, where he reunited with Ramselaar and met manager Cocu again.
• Escribá withdrew Villarreal from the transfer race and urged Roig to spend the club's budget on other players.
• The Sun reported that Tang Ye had joined Manchester United for 180 million euros plus 20 million euros in add-ons, setting a transfer record.

Tang Ye completed his record-breaking transfer to Manchester United, received the number 10 shirt, and began settling in with his new teammates. After Tang Ye asked Erik ten Hag to sign Rodri, reports indicated that Manchester United were pushing ahead with the transfer, while Marcus Rashford worried about losing the number 10.

• Tang Ye learned that Manchester United would apply for his work permit under the exceptional talent provision and asked Erik ten Hag to consider signing Rodri.
• Tang Ye bought English Proficiency, arrived at Carrington, signed his contract, and was presented with Manchester United's number 10 shirt.
• Tang Ye completed fitness tests as ten Hag praised his improvements, then watched Yellow Submarine lose the UEFA Super Cup to Real Madrid with his new teammates.
• Rashford asked Tang Ye how to get along with ten Hag, and Tang Ye recounted how ten Hag had once treated him at Utrecht.
• Tang Ye reassured Rashford that ten Hag had changed, but Rashford realized that the number 10 shirt he had wanted had gone to Tang Ye.
• Reports said Manchester United were advancing Rodri's transfer despite the Yellow Submarine manager's efforts to stop him.

Manchester United signed Rodri and pursued Haller while Tang Ye made his Old Trafford unveiling and watched the club’s 2–0 opening win from the bench. Erik ten Hag defended Tang Ye’s €200 million transfer by declaring that €200 million was the future.

• Tang Ye deleted his Europa League trophy photo after Boer reminded him that Villarreal had beaten Manchester United, then posted a Copa del Rey photo with Rodri.
• Manchester United announced Rodri’s signing, pursued Haller for €50 million, and prepared an Old Trafford unveiling for Tang Ye.
• Tang Ye appeared before the Old Trafford crowd, kicked twenty-four balls into the stands, and told a reporter he was glad he had chosen Manchester United.
• Tang Ye watched Rashford and Mkhitaryan score in Manchester United’s 2–0 win over West Ham, but repeatedly fell asleep on the bench.
• Erik ten Hag said fourth place had been a decent result but that he would show his full ability this season.
• Erik ten Hag defended Tang Ye’s transfer fee, saying €100 million could gamble on the future while €200 million was the future.

After Manchester United beat West Ham, Tang Ye drew ridicule for falling asleep on the bench but impressed Erik ten Hag in training as his ball control reached 85. With his Premier League registration approved, Tang Ye was poised to make his Manchester United debut against Swansea.

• Tang Ye read online jokes about his nap on the substitutes' bench, and Ten Hag praised him after Manchester United's 2-0 win over West Ham.
• Tang Ye combined with Rashford, Martial, Mata, and other teammates in training, creating several goals with quick passing and movement.
• Tang Ye's ball control rose from 84 to 85, meeting a prerequisite for his Cruyff Baseline Turn legendary template.
• Ten Hag considered Tang Ye ready to start, while Van der Gaag urged caution about integrating him into the team.
• The English FA approved Tang Ye's Premier League registration by a 17-0 vote, and he was assigned Manchester United's number 10 shirt ahead of the Swansea match.

Tang Ye made his Manchester United debut against Swansea and helped build a 3-0 lead with two assists. After Rashford scored the third goal, Tang Ye and his teammates celebrated as Ten Hag’s bold starting lineup paid off.

• Tang Ye started in midfield for Manchester United against Swansea, surprising both fans and Swansea’s manager Clement.
• Tang Ye launched a precise long pass to Rashford, who set up Mata to score the opening goal in the 21st minute.
• Tang Ye delivered a bouncing cross that Martial converted to put Manchester United 2-0 ahead before halftime.
• Ten Hag scolded Rashford for failing to track back and urged Manchester United to keep attacking after the break.
• Tang Ye beat Fernandes with La Croqueta and assisted Rashford’s goal, making the score 3-0 and earning two assists on his debut.

Tang Ye made a spectacular Premier League debut for Manchester United, assisting three goals in a 4-1 win over Swansea, while Erik ten Hag praised his performance and blamed another player for the goal conceded. After the match, Tang Ye focused on improving his speed and preparing for the demanding schedule ahead.

• Kyle Bartley drove through Manchester United's midfield and assisted Ayew to make the score 3-1, prompting ten Hag to postpone substituting Tang Ye.
• Tang Ye set up Phil Jones for a header in the 81st minute, completing his assist hat trick as Manchester United won 4-1.
• Ten Hag praised Tang Ye after the match, and Tang Ye received the Player of the Game award and topped the Premier League assist standings.
• Tang Ye read online criticism suggesting he had started because he was one of ten Hag's favorites, and he resolved to keep working hard while aiming to improve his speed.
• Tang Ye trained through an exhausting shuttle-run session, discussed the upcoming Champions League draw with Rodri, and ten Hag ordered him to complete extra runs.

Tang Ye trained with the China national team ahead of the decisive Asian Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan, and Lippi built their set-piece plan around Tang Ye taking direct free kicks. Tang Ye then watched the Champions League draw and learned Manchester United would face Benfica, Basel, and Feyenoord in Group A.

• Tang Ye practiced set pieces with Wen Qianshi and Lippi, who decided that Tang Ye should take direct free kicks after the team’s indirect-free-kick scoring rate proved low.
• Tang Ye converted 24 percent of his direct free kicks in training, convincing Lippi to adjust the plan and have defenders practice elsewhere.
• Zhang Yuning told Tang Ye he was struggling to earn playing time at Werder Bremen, and Tang Ye advised him to perform well in training and build chemistry with teammates.
• Bruno teased Tang Ye about the Champions League draw and relayed that Mateo wanted to tackle him, while Tang Ye admitted he hoped to avoid Villarreal.
• Tang Ye watched the Champions League group-stage draw, which placed Manchester United in Group A with Benfica, Basel, and Feyenoord.

UEFA suspended Erik ten Hag from Manchester United’s first Champions League group-stage matches, while Tang Ye’s market value rose to €120 million, matching Lionel Messi’s. Tang Ye then joined China’s national team against Uzbekistan and scored the opening goal, leaving China ahead 1–0 as the first half continued.

• UEFA announced a fine and Champions League ban for Erik ten Hag, and Manchester United prepared to appeal his suspension.
• Transfermarkt valued Tang Ye at €120 million, tying him with Lionel Messi as the world’s most valuable player.
• Tang Ye improved his De Bruyne Cutback Cross skill to level 4 during training before China’s match against Uzbekistan.
• China’s national team began cautiously, and Tang Ye carried the ball forward before setting up a shot that Xiao Zhi had saved.
• Tang Ye beat Ismailov and scored to put China ahead 1–0 against Uzbekistan.

Tang Ye scored twice and provided two assists as China defeated Uzbekistan 4:1 in Wuhan, strengthening its World Cup qualifying position. After the match, he learned his next mission was to beat Qatar by at least two goals and received his June Player of the Month trophy.

• Tang Ye intercepted an Uzbekistan attack and set up Wu Lei’s goal to give China a 2:0 halftime lead.
• Tang Ye helped create China’s third goal with a header, and Xiao Zhi finished the move after Gao Lin redirected the ball.
• Uzbekistan scored from a corner, but Tang Ye later scored again to put China ahead 4:1 before Lippi substituted him.
• Tang Ye’s system revealed a mission to defeat Qatar by at least two goals and advance early in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
• Massimo Maddaloni took Tang Ye to collect his June Player of the Month trophy, and Tang Ye said he believed China might reach the World Cup.

China national football team traveled to Qatar for the final World Cup qualifier, with a win needed to secure direct qualification. Tang Ye studied Qatar during warmups and sat dazed on a football before the match began with Qatar pressing aggressively.

• Chinese fans crowded Pudong Airport to cheer the team as Tang Ye handed chewing gum to a fan who knelt before him.
• Airport security confiscated a bottle of Double Flying Man from Tang Ye's backpack.
• Lippi briefed the players before the decisive match, while fans and media discussed China's chances of qualifying.
• Tang Ye observed Qatar's players during warmups, noting their number 10's ball-carrying and number 11's speed, then sat on a football lost in thought.
• China and Qatar began their match, and Qatar pressed forward as Al-Haydos carried the ball and shot toward goal.

Tang Ye scored directly from a free kick and assisted Feng Xiaoting’s goal as China took a 2-0 lead over Qatar, then added a second goal of his own to make it 3-0. With South Korea still scoreless against Uzbekistan, China moved close to securing a place at the 2018 World Cup.

• Tang Ye’s defensive positioning helped China shut down a Qatar counterattack, and Qatar switched from pressing to a more balanced approach.
• Tang Ye scored a knuckleball free kick to give China a 1-0 lead before halftime, while Gao Lin missed a late headed chance.
• Lippi urged China to keep attacking in the second half, and Tang Ye beat Yasser before assisting Feng Xiaoting’s goal for 2-0.
• Zhang Yuning and Hao Junmin replaced Xiao Zhi and Gao Lin as China adjusted its formation with a two-goal lead.
• Tang Ye scored his second goal in the 81st minute after Zhang Yuning laid the ball off, extending China’s lead to 3-0 as South Korea remained level with Uzbekistan.

Tang Ye led China to a 3:0 away win over Qatar, securing qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after five straight qualifying victories. The team and fans celebrated, while Tang Ye received a Miracle Chest and finished the qualifying stage with a perfect 10.0 average rating.

• China defended Qatar's late attack before Tang Ye's stoppage-time shot went just wide, and the final whistle confirmed a 3:0 victory and World Cup qualification.
• The system confiscated Tang Ye's Superstar Template Chest because it misread the qualifying timeline, then awarded him a Miracle Chest for setting a record for fastest World Cup qualification.
• Zheng Zhi, Zhang Yuning, Wu Lei, Gao Lin, and their teammates repeatedly tossed Tang Ye into the air as the squad celebrated on the pitch.
• Tang Ye joined his teammates and Chinese fans in singing and cheering, then told a reporter that he rated himself and his teammates ten out of ten.
• Dongqiudi's posted statistics showed Tang Ye led the assist rankings with seven and had earned a 10.0 rating in each of his five matches.

Tang Ye opened the Miracle Chest and chose Mason Greenwood’s advanced close-range adjustment template before returning to Manchester United after China qualified for the World Cup. He rejoined training and watched from the bench as Manchester United faced Stoke City, with the team taking an early lead.

• Tang Ye celebrated China’s World Cup qualification with the national team, discussed their prospects with Wu Lei, and heard Lippi urge officials to support more players moving to Europe.
• Tang Ye used the Miracle Chest and chose Mason Greenwood’s advanced close-range adjustment template, raising his shooting attribute from 77 to 78.
• Tang Ye returned to Manchester United training, where Mitchell van der Gaag praised his national-team performance and advised him to build strength to improve his free kicks.
• Tang Zhengxiong told a CCTV reporter how Tang Ye began playing football and showed the family genealogy page recording his World Cup qualification achievement.
• Tang Ye watched Manchester United’s away match against Stoke City from the bench after returning to training, and Ander Herrera scored the team’s opening goal.

Tang Ye helped Manchester United come from behind to beat Stoke City 3:2, then prepared for his first Champions League match against Basel while Erik ten Hag served a suspension. A new mission required Tang Ye to record his first Champions League goal or assist within two matches, and the chapter ended as he entered the tunnel beneath the Champions League anthem.

• Ten Hag brought Tang Ye on in the 74th minute against Stoke City, and Tang Ye helped create the attack that led to Herrera's winning goal.
• Manchester United beat Stoke City 3:2, and Ten Hag named Tang Ye the match's best performer despite his short appearance.
• Ten Hag announced that Tang Ye would start in midfield against Basel, while he would miss the match because of his suspension.
• Tang Ye received a two-match mission to score his first Champions League goal or record his first Champions League assist.
• Tang Ye walked out with Manchester United for the Basel match and told Rashford that the Champions League anthem felt overwhelming.

Tang Ye made his Champions League debut for Manchester United against Basel, helping the team recover from an early deficit and take a 3-1 lead. After assisting Rashford and Mkhitaryan, he completed his mission as Manchester United continued to attack.

• Basel took the lead when Riveros scored from outside the box after Herrera lost possession and Bailly’s clearance fell short.
• Tang Ye dropped deep to help Manchester United play out, then sent Rashford through for the equalizer and completed his Stage One mission.
• At halftime, Tang Ye and Rashford discussed their link-up play while Van der Gaag adjusted the team’s positions.
• Tang Ye combined with Mkhitaryan and delivered the ball into the box, where Mata scored to put Manchester United ahead 2-1.
• Tang Ye beat a defender and passed to the overlapping Mkhitaryan, who scored to make it 3-1 and give Tang Ye his second assist.

After helping Manchester United beat Basel 3-1, Tang Ye claimed a mission reward and began training penalties, where ten Hag saw potential in him as a future first-choice taker. Tang Ye then prepared for his second Manchester United start, against Everton.

• Manchester United defeated Basel 3-1, with Tang Ye recording two assists, and Rodri made his first appearance for the club.
• Mata advised Tang Ye to warn his teammates before pushing forward, and Tang Ye agreed to communicate his runs.
• Tang Ye claimed 1,500 Comeback Points and received a second Champions League mission requiring two goals and ten dangerous passes within four matches.
• At training, Tang Ye practiced penalties with Rashford and used his templates to score; ten Hag proposed developing him into Manchester United's first-choice penalty taker.
• Tang Ye started Manchester United's Premier League match against Everton, his second start for the club.

Tang Ye helped Manchester United beat Everton 4-2, setting up Rashford’s opener before scoring his first Premier League goal. After halftime adjustments helped him conserve his runs and defend more effectively, Manchester United held off Everton’s challenge and sealed the win with Eric Bailly’s late header.

• Tang Ye sent Rashford through with a long pass, and Rashford scored to give Manchester United an early lead.
• Tang Ye’s no-look pass started another attack, and Martial scored after Pickford spilled his shot.
• Mkhitaryan lost possession, allowing Rooney to finish Everton’s counterattack and make it 2-1 at halftime.
• Van der Gaag showed Tang Ye that he had run 6.8 kilometers in the first half, and Ten Hag adjusted Manchester United’s tactics.
• Tang Ye scored his first Premier League goal after combining with Rashford, but Schneiderlin soon pulled Everton back to 3-2.
• Eric Bailly headed in Herrera’s corner, giving Manchester United a 4-2 victory over Everton.

Tang Ye faced criticism over Manchester United’s defensive balance and his own performances, so he focused on improving his fitness and speed. He then scored twice and assisted once as Manchester United built a 3–0 lead over Burton in the EFL Cup.

• Manchester United fans praised Erik ten Hag and Tang Ye, while the editor of 442 criticized the team’s defensive setup and Tang Ye’s advanced positioning.
• Tang Ye and Rodri discussed the criticism, and Marcus Rashford reassured Tang Ye that adapting to a new team and league took time.
• Tang Ye completed a strenuous jumping workout with Craig, raising his Endurance from 71 to 72, and decided to improve his Speed before activating his Cruyff Baseline Turn Template.
• Tang Ye assisted Rashford’s opening goal against Burton, then scored from a chest control and close-range finish to make it 2–0.
• Tang Ye combined with Ashley Young and Anthony Martial to score his second goal, giving Manchester United a 3–0 lead.

Manchester United beat Burton 4–0 as Rodri impressed off the bench and Tang Ye scored a hat trick. Erik ten Hag reviewed Rodri’s performance and decided to start him alongside Tang Ye in the next match.

• Erik ten Hag sent Rodri and Michael Carrick on at halftime, and Rodri quickly threatened Burton with a long-range shot.
• Rodri won the ball from Nicklas Bendtner and played a through pass that Tang Ye finished to complete his hat trick.
• Tang Ye, Rodri, and Juan Mata celebrated together as Manchester United defeated Burton 4–0 and advanced in the EFL Cup.
• Tang Ye and Rodri drove through the city the next day and discussed the match and Manchester United’s upcoming schedule.
• Erik ten Hag reviewed Rodri’s statistics, remembered that his assist had helped Tang Ye complete his hat trick, and changed his planned starting midfield to Rodri, Tom, and Juan Mata.